Hi so I've been noticing that my car kind of veers left and right, aka if it veers to the left a bit, i correct it and then it will veer to the right abit, it isn't alot of veering, but i would have to correct it a bit, and the car wouldn't really go straight(not touch the steering wheel for a while). I had thought it was just me, until i let my mom and dad drive my car, and they said it too it was happening.

I had replaced all 4 tires(staggered) on the car before this problem, and the tires were "balanced". I had also got the car a "alignment job".

Would this issue be the tires aren't balanced correctly or the alignment job was bad?
I have the specs for the alignment.

S85FTW

09-28-2012 12:20 AM

Suspension? Subframe? Poor alignment job? Improperly inflated tires? Bushings? Control arms? Wheel bearings? Could be any of those things. Check all of those yourself. Post up results of alignment up here as we'll for others to see.

emgee

09-28-2012 12:21 AM

i recently started having this issue as well. i suspect it has to do with my rear trailing arm bushings and a bent rear control arm. im waiting for my new control arms to come in the mail.

emgee

09-28-2012 12:22 AM

i got bushings from UUC.

leetoranges

09-28-2012 12:36 AM

To be honest, i kinda think it started after i got my new tires. Could them improperly doing the "tire balance" make this problem happen? And i put the spec from the alignment job image on the First post.

S85FTW

09-28-2012 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leetoranges
(Post 14769681)

To be honest, i kinda think it started after i got my new tires. Could them improperly doing the "tire balance" make this problem happen? And i put the spec from the alignment job image on the First post.

Balancing would cause vibration, not pull. Check to make sure that your tires were mounted in the correct treadwear direction. Sometimes tire places can mix up sides. Alignment looks decent enough to where it wouldn't cause pull. If tires are fine check front control arms bushings and rear trailer arm bushings for wear or cracks.

Defective tires can cause pull but I have never experienced that in 12 years of car ownership.

leetoranges

09-28-2012 01:22 AM

I just checked the tires and they are directional and have the "v" thread pointing towards the front of the car. Tires are hankook ventus v12 so i don't think they are defective.

Also i forgot to mention, that on the alignment job report, it states that he heard a slight ticking noise coming from the passenger side, but was okayed on a basic inspection. Could this potentially be the arm bushings you said?

S85FTW

09-28-2012 01:26 AM

Two ways to check the bushings:
1- roll windows down. If you hear a slight knock come from the front as you come to a complete stop or accelerate from a dead stop they are bad.
2- take your wheel wrench and loosen one of your bolts on your front wheels while the car is on the ground. If you notice the wheel moving back and forth while the rest of the car stays in place they are bad.

leetoranges

09-28-2012 01:34 AM

Okay i will check tomorrow for #1 on the way to work. For #2 ima do right now, If it does happen to be bad, what am i looking at in fees. If i diy or if i bring it in?

S85FTW

09-28-2012 01:36 AM

Bushings don't DIY. Too much of a pain. Bring it in. The labor involved to press in new bushings you are better off just changing the arms while you are at it. Should be no more than $300 for everything.

MJLavelle

09-28-2012 01:41 AM

Impropperly balanced tires usually only create a vibration.
There are numerous things that can cause the symptoms you mentioned, and it is probably not one single item. I suspect that none of the suspension components have been replaced in your car, and they are all probably past due. Start with the control arms and FCAB's, and the RTAB's. You probably want to change the shocks and struts as well, and all of the mounting hardware, especially the rear shock mounts. The last items to address would be the front hubs and bearings, and the rear bearings, as well as the sway bar bushings and the front and rear swar bar connectors. The front sway bar connectors really should be changed along with the front struts. All of this does not need to be done at once, but you should probably attack it in the order I listed, to get the most bang for your buck.

Russian172

09-28-2012 01:46 AM

off topic thread highjack here
my wheel bearing is bad and the car veers to the left does that mean that the left side is more screwed than the right ?

Thug life one wife

S85FTW

09-28-2012 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russian172
(Post 14769824)

off topic thread highjack here
my wheel bearing is bad and the car veers to the left does that mean that the left side is more screwed than the right ?

Thug life one wife

Yes

Russian172

09-28-2012 01:48 AM

nice blue ass
youre driving my fave car in the world dude
how does it feel for a DD ?
im a buy one when i go big on selling socks with pockets for drugs

thug life

leetoranges

09-28-2012 01:56 AM

I just took a bolt out of the front and back passenger side while the car is on the ground, and nothing happened, was i supposed to hit the wheel/force it and see if it moves?

S85FTW

09-28-2012 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russian172
(Post 14769830)

nice blue ass
youre driving my fave car in the world dude
how does it feel for a DD ?
im a buy one when i go big on selling socks with pockets for drugs

thug life

It's not my dd, I drive an 07 328xi as a daily but it is better than any other BMW I've owned by far. Plan on getting another winter beater as well.

Russian172

09-28-2012 01:59 AM

lets trade for my tractor 325i ? for the winter
i remeber you used to have a coupe

S85FTW

09-28-2012 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leetoranges
(Post 14769846)

I just took a bolt out of the front and back passenger side while the car is on the ground, and nothing happened, was i supposed to hit the wheel/force it and see if it moves?

No. It would have moved on its own if it was really bad. Do the knock test while driving to work tomorrow.

S85FTW

09-28-2012 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russian172
(Post 14769855)

lets trade for my tractor 325i ? for the winter
i remeber you used to have a coupe